Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and this is simply a fanfic based on others hard work and ideas.

A/N: My apologies for taking a little longer on this chapter. I had some doubts about the chapter and decided to write chapter 11 as well. I had similar doubts about chapter 11 and decided to write 12. Through several 'holes' that were fixed and a couple of rewrites I think I have everything ironed out. Enjoy.

Thoughts in italics.

Chapter 10

It had been 5 months and the leopards had finally made it to the village (being a summoning animal gives them access to more efficient means of travel). From outside of the village leopards observed the comings and goings of the gates and patrols. Using their techniques they melded into the shadows one evening and entered the village and spread throughout the city. After getting their bearings and locating all main target areas they split up to gather what information they could.

One leopard broke into the Academy and found the records room. Searching through the records he found everything on Naruto and just decided to steal it rather than spend time copying the information. There were more important things to get done tonight.

A second leopard broke into the hospital records room and couldn't find any information on Naruto. After searching for about 30 minutes he found a sealed record room in an unused area of the hospital. It took some work, but he was able to find a way in. There were files upon files on one subject, Naruto Uzumaki. He had an entire room (about the size of a walk-in closet) full of medical records just on him. It made the leopard sick. No one should have this many records. He used a sealing scroll to take all the records.

While the leopard was in the hospital another had gone to the public records office and only found one single file on Naruto. It was basic information on him when he was in the orphanage, and his basic/public information on his ninja career. He did find out where his apartment was and decided to go their next. As he entered the apartment he saw several personal belongings. He decided to grab everything he could and sealed it in a sealing scroll.

The leader of the leopard team had been able to get into the main tower where all important records would be held. However, he couldn't find anything on Naruto. He found that odd. He decided to hang around until the morning.

The other leopards had finished their jobs and were waiting in a forest on the edge of Konoha at the rendezvous spot. They had brought several other leopards with them for general spy work, but they were sent to the rendezvous spot to set up a transport seal back to Lord Hyo.

All of the leopards were curious what was taking the leader so long, but being spy's they knew things didn't always go as planned, but since no alarms were raised they decided to wait.

Xxxxxxxxxx

As dawn was approaching we find Shizune coming into the office to get everything prepared for the day. As she entered the Hokages office she never noticed a shadow that melded with hers and entered with her. The shadow transferred itself to the shadow being cast by the Hokage's desk. The lead leopard was in position to get the most information for the day.

The day went on as normal. The Hokage stamped paperwork and dealt with mission briefings as always. Honestly the lead leopard was getting board. (Also if you ask this writer; I 'm quite amazed the ANBU in the office never noticed the additional presence in the room. I guess they suck at being ANBU for the Hokage, but it would ruin my story if they had noticed the leopard in the shadow, therefore, that is how the cookie crumbles.)

Finally after lunch the leopard's spying resulted in valuable information. Jiraiya had finally returned to the village and was coming in his usual way; through the window.

"Hey, Tsu-hime, how are things going?" Jiraiya asked cautiously.

Tsunade looked up from her paperwork and glared on him, "it's about damn time you got back here. I need to know what is going on with the three elders. None of the toads that were sent to spy on them have returned."

"Really, that's odd. They were supposed to send regular messages." He went through several hand signs "SUMMONING". In a poof of smoke a small yellow toad appeared. Jiraiya addressed the toad, "Have you heard from the three toads that were sent to spy on the elders?"

The toad responded, "No we have not. We've been worried about them, but we also know that sometimes these missions require longer timeframes. Would you like me to summon them for you?"

Jiraiya looked at Tsunade and then back at the toad. "It is up to Tsu-hime."

Tsunade thought for a moment and decided the need for information was more important than the need for safety. "Yes, please do."

The toad using a special technique went about reverse summoning the three toads that were sent after the three elders.

In three poof's of smoke three dead toads appeared on the floor. "Awe, crap. Someone knows we are on to them and most likely it is Danzo." Commented Jiraiya.

Tsunade commented with a sigh, "How are we going to get Naruto back if we can't get any information on those three old coots?"

At this the leopard raised the proverbial eyebrow. "They want him back? I thought they banished him." He received his answer in the next comment by Jiraiya.

"Well, Hime, do you have enough with all the other information to get power back from the council?" He asked.

The leopard's thoughts continued, "This 'council' usurped the leader somehow. Lady Nilu will want to know this."

"You would think so, but when I hint at information they would want kept private they appear to give in when I talk to them privately, but once the meeting starts it's like they are completely different people. Jiraiya, if I cannot get power back I don't know what I'm going to do about getting MY Naruto back. What would 'they' think if they knew about all this?" Tsuande said implying 'they' meaning his parents. (Remember readers, only a few people know the truth about Naruto parentage and the Hokage's ANBU do not know).

"I think 'they' would go on a rampage personally." He replied.

"Ok, I need food for now and time to think. Jiraiya, you are taking me to get some sake and you ARE going to keep YOUR hands to yourself. Got it?" she said.

"Ok, ok, I will abide by that….'today'" Jiraiya said with the 'today' being thought.

As they left the room Shizune came in to clear up the signed paperwork and add to the pile of the unsigned. As she left she never noticed the shadow that left with her.

Xxxxxxxxxx

It took some patience and some time to hop from shadow to shadow until he was able to reach the wooded rendezvous spot.

"Leader, we have the information gathered for you." One of the spy's said.

"Good, I also have some more information that we need to write down and get back to Hyo" replied the leader.

After all information was recorded and compiled then the leader spoke, "I want you (the leopard from the record office mission) to send this information back to Hyo using our transport seal. I think there is enough for now. Also, direct his attention to the information I personally included at the end of the notes and I want him to review that first before reviewing everything else."

The leader continued, "You three, he pointed to three other leopards, there are others here known as 'elders'. Once we locate them I want you to gather any and all information on them. It should be noted that there is a toad summoner here and the toad spy's sent to these elders were killed. Please be careful, your lives are more important than any information you can gather."

They all nodded and split up. The leader looked at the rest of the spy's. "I want you all to spread throughout this village and gather anything you might find important. I intend to send an update to Hyo by the end of the week so meet back here in a week's time.

The leader did his spooky shadow jumping technique to head back to the Hokage's office. There is more and he would find out.

Xxxxxxxxxx

It was the last day of the week and that evening the spy's would gather to send an update to Hyo. As the afternoon approached more interesting information developed for the leader.

Knock Knock

"Enter" said the Hokage.

In walked Hinata. "Ah, Hinata dear, how is your training with Shizune going?" asked Tsunade.

Hinata took a deep breath which the Hokage noticed. "She is getting better at calming herself."

"The training has been going well. I have learned so much and have been able to apply e-everything to my taijutsu and though it sickens me, my father has taken note to my advancement."

"That is good to hear. I will be taking over soon to take your skills to the next level so be prepared ok?" commented Tsunade.

"Of course, Tsunade-sensei" Hinata bowed. "I have a request if I may?" she asked.

Tsunade nodded.

"During my duties over the next month at the hospital I would like to bring Hanabi with me. She has been improving and is less stuck up than she used to be, but I think forcing her to help others may be what she needs. Would it be ok if I have Hanabi help me in the Hospital?" she asked.

"I trust your judgment Hinata and I agree with your assessment. Go right on ahead." Commented Tsunade.

"Thank you, Tsunade-sensei"

The leopard was perplexed by something. Before he left the compound those many months ago he had the opportunity to be within smelling range of Naruto. He had committed his scent to memory. This girl smelled different, but she clearly had Naruto's Scent on her. He guessed he would have to send one of his spy's to figure this out.

Xxxxxxxxxx

The spy's all met back up and compiled any information to send back to the compound. Only one of the leopard spy's that was sent to look for these 'elders' returned. The leader hoped that was a good thing and told the last member to continue to look for this elusive third 'elder' and if she came across the other two spy's she was to inform them to meet back up in a month. They all separated and continued to gather information about this village. Especially the young girl the leader wanted more information on.

Xxxxxxxxxx

That month finally came to an end and the leopards had met back up. They compiled information about all of Naruto's friends and how they are treating their parents and others around the village. They have put quite the dossier about Hinata and her feelings toward Naruto. Especially how she slept every night with Naruto jacket that she found.

Surprisingly, at one point Tsunade had pulled out the information on Naruto and was having a private discussion with Jiraiya and Kakashi about his parents and heritage. Above all things this was the information that the leopards were needing.

Finally, the important information needed about the elders was actually gathered. The leopard that was able to get to Danzo's private records had found some very incriminating evidence and compiled copies of the documentation needed and summaries of conversations between him and various civilian councilors and the elder's. The next step for them was to get instructions from home. Until then they would continue to gather information on the village and monitor these 'elder's'.